Kundalini is a both a Sanskrit word describing a form of life force or energy as well as a type of yoga and meditation. In philosophies of meditation, kundalini yoga is intended to release or harness the latent kundalini energy that is stored or coiled at the base of the spine. Even if you do not subscribe to the philosophical or spiritual underpinnings of the particular kundalini meditation style, researchers have identified measurable health and wellness benefits of the yoga practice.

What is Kundalini?

In Sanskrit, "kundalini" roughly translates to "coiled life energy." It is believed to be the feminine form of the divine energy or consciousness. The Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hinduism, describe kundalini as residing in the sacral chakra at the base of the spine. Awakening the kundalini through either mindful meditation or a spontaneous event like a near-death experience is believed to contribute to a spiritual enlightenment that promotes the healing of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual ailments. Yogi and spiritual guru Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda writes in "The Hidden Power in Humans" that awakening kundalini energy results in a range of physical symptoms. Feelings of extreme hot or cold, tingling sensations in the extremities, increased sensitivity and changes in sexual desire or sensitivity are also associated with release of kundalini energy.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a form of gentle exercise that combines traditional yoga poses with mantras and controlled breathing. In kundalini yoga, slow, controlled body movements and poses are coordinated with deep abdominal breathing. While the purpose of other types of yoga like Hatha or Bikram may be strength conditioning or weight loss, kundalini yoga is more concerned with holistic wellness, relaxation and the development of consciousness. Intensive forms of kundalini yoga are typically practiced in groups under the guidance of a yogi or kundalini guru trained in guided meditation, though at-home practices that use a DVD or text guide are also available.

Physical Health

Kundalini yoga induces a state of relaxation that coordinates with several physiological functions in the body. A 1990 study published in the "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology" found that subjects who practiced kundalini meditation experienced an average muscle activity reduction of 58 percent. In 2001, researchers from San Francisco State University studied the effects of kundalini yoga on a range of physiological activities of a master yoga instructor. Researchers found that the subject's breathing rate slowed to five breaths per minute from a pre-meditation average of 11 breaths per minute. A 2010 study in the "Journal of the International Society of Life Information Sciences" reported that participants experienced a significant fluctuation in skin temperature responses during the practice of Sahaja yoga, a form of kundalini yoga.

Mental Health

In addition to the role of kundalini in spiritual health, researchers have identified kundalini yoga as an effective means of achieving mental health. A 2000 study published in "NeuroReport" evaluated the increase in brain waves during kundalini meditation and found the most significant increases occurred in the portions of the brain responsible for controlling the autonomic nervous system and attention. Management of these brain systems has positive effects for decreasing anxiety, depression, anger or low energy. A research evaluation published in 2005 in "Integrative Cancer Therapies" concluded that kundalini yoga practices may be an effective course of treatment for managing the mental fatigue, fear and anxiety associated with cancer diagnoses. Kundalini yoga has also been shown to be a successful non-medical approach to managing depression.

References

Kundalini: Divine Energy, Divine Life: Cyndi Dale

The Hidden Power in Humans: Chakras and Kundalini: Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda

About the Author

Hannah Wahlig began writing and editing professionally in 2001. Her experience includes copy for newspapers, journals and magazines, as well as book editing. She is also a certified lactation counselor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mount Holyoke College, and Master's degrees in education and community psychology from the University of Massachusetts.